In the pursuit of expanding our knowledge and using it for our collective benefit, artificial intelligence has created a system of hardware and software that can function with no moral compass — the ability to determine true right from wrong.

A true moral compass can only come from the spirit of God and be imparted to men and women whom God has created. Even so, humans are fallible and imperfect in their desires and actions, and they act contrary to the truths and desires of God. But my point is about AI and not the people who have created it.

AI has shown through numerous instances of hacking other companies’ supposedly secure systems that it has and will continue to have the ability to lie and to teach itself to lie (“thou shalt not bear false witness”). In hacking, the hacker is lying in that it is saying it has the legal right to be at a system’s door and to enter. The intent of the intrusion can be manifold and can include violations of other moral compass points (theft, murder, etc.).

Regulating AI is needed regardless of which country “wins.” However, it must be recognized that the battle is unending because AI systems, robots, etc. cannot be implanted with a true moral compass, which can only come from God to humans.

JAMES SMITH

Baton Rouge